Heroin, Prescription Drug Abuse Worries St. Lawrence County Officials

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Story Published: Jun 29, 2009 at 12:21 PM EST

Story Updated: Jun 29, 2009 at 7:06 PM EST

The recent seizure of more than 10 grams of packaged heroin from a Potsdam apartment house is a sign the drug may be gaining in popularity with young adults, according to village Police Chief John Kaplan
 
Even though high grade marijuana and cocaine are considered to be among the drugs of choice for illegal users in the county, abuse of prescription narcotics are also growing in popularity.

Highly addictive heroin can sell for between $30 and $35 a packet on the street.

Investigators with the county's drug task force say as the supply of prescription drugs like OxyContin dry up, users may be turning to heroin to get their fix.
 
St. Lawrence County has just been designated part of a high intensity drug trafficking area.

Drugs that are moved through the northern border make their way downstate, out of state and even out of the country.

The federal designation could bring in more money and provide more resources for authorities.
 
While St. Lawrence, Franklin and Clinton Counties are the latest to become federally designated high intensity drug trafficking areas, Jefferson County has yet to win approval.

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